Specialization Course Descriptions

HUMAN SERVICES

HSC 10 3 rec 3 cr
Human Services and Social Welfare Institutions
Introduces the student to the foundations and influences of social welfare policy and the human services movement. Social welfare institutions and societal response to human needs will be examined. The course will discuss the influences of political, social and cultural factors upon past and present approaches to meeting the needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Corequisite(s): ENG 02 or RDL 02 if required, and PSY 11 or SOC 11.
Flexible Core: US Experience in its Diversity

HSC 11 3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Case Management
Addresses the complex situation of children and adolescents who require long-term assistance and whose needs fall along a continuum of care. Objective is to facilitate and ensure the effective delivery of service by improving the fit between client capacity and demands of the environment. Includes focus on crisis intervention with regard to child abuse, family violence, substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, and teenage pregnancy.
Prerequisite(s): HSC 10, PSY 11, SOC 11.

HSC 12 3 rec 3 cr
Human Services Skills and Methods
This course introduces students to essential skills, techniques and methods necessary for success in the field of human services. The course will help students transfer knowledge gained in the classroom to future practice and fieldwork placements. Students will become acquainted with the methods and skills used in the human service field to assist clients on an individual basis (micro-level) or in larger group settings (mezzo-level). Counseling approaches used to assist clients from culturally diverse backgrounds will be explored. Advocacy techniques which aid clients who are receiving inadequate services from public assistance agencies will be discussed.
Prerequisite(s): HSC 10.

HSC 91 2 rec 14 hrs fieldwork 3 cr
Field Work and Seminar in Human Services I
Supervised fieldwork at a community social agency to provide practical human service skill development in the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of individual, family, group and institutional problems. Weekly seminars are designed to assure that skills and values are being appropriately integrated.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11, SOC 11, HSC 12 and permission of department.
Prerequisites or Corequisites: ENG 10 or ENG 11, HSC 11, SOC 35.

HSC 92 2 rec 14 hrs fieldwork 3 cr
Field Work and Seminar in Human Services II
Supervised field work at a community social agency to provide practical human service skill development in the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of individual, family, group and institutional problems. Weekly seminars to assure that skills and values are being appropriately integrated. Prerequisite: HSC 91 and permission of department.
Prerequisite(s): HSC 91 and permission of department.

HSC 93 1 rec 2 hrs fieldwork 1.5 cr
Issues in Human Services for Childcare Workers I
Weekly seminar that integrates the fieldwork experience of students doing fieldwork in state-approved childcare social/health agencies with the academic study of child and adolescent developmental problems. This seminar assures that skills and values are being appropriately integrated.
Prerequisite(s): HSC 10, PSY 11, SOC 11 and permission of department.

HSC 94 1 rec 2 hrs fieldwork 1.5 cr
Issues in Human Services for Childcare Workers II
Weekly seminar that integrates the fieldwork experience of students doing fieldwork in state-approved childcare social/health agencies with the academic study of child and adolescent developmental problems. This seminar assures that skills and values are being appropriately integrated.
Prerequisite(s): HSC 10, PSY 11, SOC 11 and permission of department.

PSYCHOLOGY

PSY 11 3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Psychology
Scientific method in the understanding of human behavior. Introductory study of growth and development, motivation, emotions and mental health, learning, intelligence and personality evaluation.
Corequisite(s): ENG 02 or RDL 02 if required.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 22 3 rec 3 cr
Social Psychology
Introduction to social psychology, focusing upon the nature of aggression and violent behavior; role of social influence in determination of deviant and conformist behavior, attitude change and decision making; affiliation; primary and group relationships; and social norms and interrelationship of personality and culture.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 31 3 rec 3 cr
Abnormal Psychology
Major forms of psychological disorders, such as neuroses, psychoses, psychosomatic disturbances and character disorders; their origin, development and treatment.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 35 3 rec 3 cr
Dynamics of Human Motivation
Introduction to complex human motivation; emphasis on interaction of conscious and unconscious motives, inner conflict, and adaptive and maladaptive coping techniques. Applications to relevant contemporary problems, such as child rearing, psychotherapy, education and drug addiction.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 40 3 rec 3 cr
Life Span Development
This course enables students to understand human growth and development, from conception through late adulthood, in varied contexts and cultures. The emphasis is on the interaction between biological, cognitive and social changes over time, within families and within communities. Research data and key ideas, not only from psychology and sociology, but also from neuroscience, genetics, economics, and anthropology are included. The goal is to provide students with a solid understanding of the causes and manifestations of human behavior.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 41 3 rec 3 cr
Psychology of Infancy and Childhood
Major factors in psychological development from infancy through childhood; influence of the family biological, cultural, and socio-economic factors in producing normal and abnormal intellectual and emotional growth.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 42 3 rec 3 cr
Psychology of Adolescence and Adulthood
Study of development from adolescence to adulthood with regard to implications for self-realization, love, marriage, vocation, parenthood, retirement and aging. Changing attitudes and values about sex, drugs, aging and politics are explored in regard to different stages of adult development.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 43 3 rec 3 cr
Psychological Development During Maturity and Aging
Normal and abnormal psychological development during adulthood and old age. Emphasis on dynamics of the life cycle; theories of the mature personality; forces affecting continuing growth of the adult personality and intellect; biological, social and cultural determinants of aging; and influence of normal and abnormal aging processes on perception, psychomotor skills, learning, intelligence, and personality.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 44 3 rec 3 cr
Psychology of Women
Development, personality characteristics, and needs of women; and similarities to and differences from men. Psychological aspects of uniquely feminine experiences. Issues are examined from a theoretical as well as an empirical perspective.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 51 3 rec 3 cr
Principles of Group Dynamics
Introduction to theory of group behavior, including analysis of the psychological structure of groups, cohesive and disruptive forces, conflict and adjustment in group relationships and relationship of groups to society.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 71 3 rec 3 cr
Clinical Techniques of Assessment: The Interview
Interpersonal approach in assessing psychological problems of individuals and minigroups. Practical experience with clinical interview techniques; psychological evaluation of data and case history write-ups. Methods of referral to appropriate professional and community resources are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

Psy 81 3 rec 6 hrs fieldwork 3 cr
Field Work and Seminar in Psychology I
Supervised field work or independent research. Required seminar integrates practical experience with coursework.
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits in the social sciences (Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) and/or permission of the department; 6 of these credits must be in Psychology..

SOCIOLOGY

SOC 11 3 rec 3 cr
Sociology
Introduction to the scientific study of human life as group life. Culture and personality; courtship, marriage and family; religious behavior; education and communication; theories of social stratification and social change. Corequisite: ENG 02 or RDL 02 if required.
Corequisite(s): ENG 02 or RDL 02 if required.
Flexible Core: World Cultures & Global Issues

SOC 31 3 rec 3 cr
Race and Ethnic Relations
Characteristics of American ethnic minorities and religious groups, including theories explaining prejudice and discrimination. Intergroup relations, with particular reference to the New York metropolitan area, and techniques for relieving problems in human relations.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

SOC 32 3 rec 3 cr
Sociology of the City*
*Not taught on a regular basis. Course descriptions available upon request.

SOC 33 3 rec 3 cr
Marriage and the Family
Introduction to the study of the family as a social institution. Evolution of form and functions of the family and how its structure is shaped by forces in society. Significance of family as a socialization agent, courtship and the romantic love complex, womens roles and changing family structure, minority culture families in American society and consideration of the future of the family.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 11.

SOC 34 3 rec 3 cr
Social Deviance
Explores what is regarded as deviant within a society, with emphasis on criminality and mental illness. Deviance from the perspective of the deviant (e.g., the process by which the initial deviance becomes a career or master status). Deviance from the perspective of society, its social structure, norms and sanctions relevant to deviance, and functions or dysfunctions served by those committing acts of deviance.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

SOC 35 3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Social Work
Nature of social work and its functions; family casework, child welfare, psychiatric and medical social work, correctional services, public welfare and community welfare organizations.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 11 or PSY 11 or permission of instructor.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

SOC 36 3 rec 3 cr
Sociology of Sex Roles
The nature of womens and mens participation in the family, at school, at work, at play, and in government. Comparative study of various classes and races of contemporary Americans and their historical and international counterparts. Analysis of the impact of the sexual revolution and the movement for sexual equality.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 11.

SOC 37 3 rec 3 cr
Social Inequality
Introduction to roles and problems of advocates in the social services system; nature, need and processes of advocacy; legal administrative aspects of social services programs (social security, welfare, family court); advocating rights of special groups (handicapped, poor, youth, aged).
Prerequisite(s): SOC 11 or permission of department.

SOC 38 3 rec 3 cr
Social Advocacy
Introduction to roles and problems of advocates in the social services system; nature, need and processes of advocacy; legal administrative aspects of social services programs (social security, welfare, family court); advocating rights of special groups (handicapped, poor, youth, aged).
Prerequisite(s): POL 11 or SOC 11 or department permission.

SOC 92 3 rec 3 cr
Religion and Society
Social origins and phenomena of religion including its meaning for the individual and what functions it serves for society.